After the revolution, Egypt struggles to win back tourists

As Egypt begins its long and difficult transition to democracy, it is also faced with the challenge of rebuilding its economy. Tourism revenues, a vital resource for millions of Egyptians, have fallen by 30 percent.

One year after former president Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, Egyptians are not only struggling to fulfill the ideals that inspired their revolution but also to get their nation's economy back on its feet.

Ongoing clashes between protesters and police, 12 different attacks on a pipeline that supplies gas to Israel and a rise in armed robberies have not only made daily life more difficult for Egyptians, but also contributed to the deterioration of the country’s economy.

Tourism, a vital source of income for Egypt, has struggled to recover. Figures from the country’s tourism ministry indicate that revenues dropped by one-third in 2011 and prospects for 2012 do not look much better.